The Buccaneers, 17 point underdogs and making their NFL debut, went down to a 20-0 defeat at the hands of the Houston Oilers in a game that left a lot to be desired on both sides of the field. Tampa Bay was held to eight first downs.

John McKay's take on the game. "Let's see, has this team here, Houston, lost any games? I believe they have been playing for 6,000 years and I don't remember them winning any championships. We are an expansion team, but this is our expansion team. We will be back."